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All the young dudes were out in force – well, two to be exact – to bring their selection of fine songs and American songbook influences to this Celtic Connections’ gig, leaving us fairly certain that we’ll be hearing a lot more of them both. From Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canadian Colter Wall has a languid, …

The first of many gigs for Courtney Marie Andrews this year – she had 117 official shows in 2017 – convinced many fans here that they should be joining this beguiling singer/songwriter’s journeying by heading to Edinburgh when she returns with her band in April.

The Queens Of The Breakers is the title track of The Barr Brothers latest release – and when it emerged here this Celtic Connections’ gig truly bumped into life. It’s a flowing, chiming, rocky track and raised the temperature significantly. That’s not to say the opening songs were dull, far from it – they proved …

The secret of what musical mates, Hayes Carll and Corb Lund get up to in hotel rooms when they go on tour is now out. They shared their nocturnal activities (that is playing music together) full-on during this lusty, rough’n’tumble, double bill Celtic Connections’ gig with both men in great humour and sparkling form musically, …

It was by chance that Mandolin Orange’s Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz met at a blue grass festival nine years ago – but it is the fans of their warming and deftly created music who are definitely the lucky ones.

From the start this was a gig not to be missed. Packed into the Old Fruitmarket, Sharon Shannon made sure a great night was had by all. Her first tune, “Neckbelly” had us bouncing along as Sharon asked us to “go mental” and have loads of fun. The tunes came quick and fast with sets …

This was the night Gary Innes launched his long awaited second album, “Era” twelve years on from his first “How’s The Craic”. It was worth the wait. Gary says “the album is about growing old and very much family orientated” and he thanked his family and friends for the support in making it. The tune …

What a great way to spend Burns Night with the silky smooth voice of Robyn Stapleton, the BBC Radio Scotland Young Trad Musician of the 2014, described by Sheena Wellington as a “very special singer indeed”. Robyn wowed the Celtic Connections’ audience from her first song, “Coming Thru the Rye” and continued with the “Slaves …

The 20th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Concert Hall of Phil Cunningham’s Highlands & Islands Suite was performed for the first time since 1997. Working with composer/arranger, John Ashton Thomas, a brand new ensemble composition was unveiled, inspired by their shared love for the island of Iona. This made up one half of the concert …

When the mid Saturday of the Celtic Connections festival comes it can only mean one thing: the fantastically, talented turn of the pipe bands to entertain the masses – and Inverary and District and Bagad Kemper lived up to all expectations. Bagad Kemper from Britanny took to the stage first with pieces from their latest …